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It was already afternoon, the scorching sun had faded, and a cool breeze was blowing.
Jiang Jinsang's words caught Zhang Liyun off guard; she originally intended to seize the opportunity to berate Tang Wan.
She planned to criticize her for making a big deal out of nothing, disregarding the Tang Family's reputation, and ignoring sisterly feelings. Unexpectedly, in just a few sentences, he shut down her daughter and managed to clear Tang Wan of any involvement.
Zhang Liyun had never suffered two setbacks in one day at the hands of the same person, especially someone she couldn't afford to offend.
"How could such a thing happen! What kind of friends has Momo been making? I've already told her not to bring new acquaintances home casually." Zhang Liyun seethed with anger.
"Wanwan, I really apologize."
Before Tang Wan could speak, Jiang Jinsang added, "Is it the first time Mrs. Tang has heard about it too?"
"Fifth Master, what do you mean by that?"
"It's your place after all; even if no one at home informed you, I assumed the Second Miss would have. It's surprising that the police had to get involved before you knew."
Jiang Jinsang rubbed his fingers gently, his tone soft but each word hit home.
Old Master Tang squinted, a subtle expression in his eyes.
"Since Miss Tang is safe at home, I'll take my leave," Jiang Jinsang said as he got ready to depart.
"Xiaowu, I'll see you out." Evidently, Old Master Tang wanted to have a private conversation with him.
…
After the old man returned, and shortly after Zhang Liyun had left, only Tang Wan and he were left in the front hall.
"Grandpa, I haven't packed my things yet. I'll just go back to my room..." Before Tang Wan could stand, she heard a long sigh.
"Oh, wife's lucky to have passed early, the kids these days are too worrisome..."
Tang Wan's eyelid twitched fiercely.
"You know, Jiang Family's two kids were the ones you liked. Pity, our granddaughter isn't interested; your efforts were in vain."
"I promised you, I'd personally give Wanwan away in marriage, but this old man won't keep his word in this life."
Tang Wan forced a smile and sat beside him, "Grandpa, what are you babbling about?"
"What am I babbling about? Didn't you reject Jiang Xiaowu today?" Old Master Tang said sternly.
"Do you think we're suitable?"
"What's bad about that kid? Except..." Old Master Tang coughed.
"A bit short-lived!"
"But..." Old Master Tang deliberately raised his voice, as if by shouting he could gain the upper hand, "with modern medical technology, he might live as long as a century!"
"Besides, how can you believe in rumors?"
"Why do you hope I marry into the Jiang Family so much?" Tang Wan couldn't understand why her grandfather was so mysteriously keen on the Jiang Family.
"I just think it's suitable! You have to trust Grandpa; I've lived this long and won't be wrong about people."
Tang Wan chuckled bitterly, "Previously at the park, you were tricked into buying two thousand dollars worth of health supplements by someone you said looked honest. Later, the police came, saying you bought a bunch of fake drugs and wanted you to assist in their investigation—did you forget?"
"..."
Old Master Tang snorted in anger: In life, who doesn't encounter a few swindlers.
*
After returning to her room, Tang Wan kept thinking about how to repay Jiang Jinsang's favor.
After much thought, gifting or treating to a meal were the options, but a very real problem soon presented itself:
She didn't have Jiang Jinsang's contact information!
In her circle, the only one who could reach the Jiang Family was her grandfather, but she didn't know when Jiang Jinsang would return to Beijing, and this matter couldn't be delayed. So she had no choice but to knock on the old man's door.
Old Master Tang, squinting his eyes, was flipping through his contacts on an old phone, a mischievous smile playing at his lips:
Not interested but still asking for contact information, are young people this coy today?
Neglecting her grandfather's teasing gaze, Tang Wan retreated to her room, opting not to call Jiang Jinsang directly but to send a polite message first.
[Fifth Master, hello, I'm Tang Wan. Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to treat you to a meal if convenient. Please set the time and I'll handle the location.]
Jiang Jinsang was at the hotel, dressed casually and with a blanket draped over his knees. On the table was a cup of hot tea and a laptop with several people crowded onscreen, seemingly in a video call.
"…Actually, it's understandable that she wouldn't want to marry into our family. It was just an oral agreement; it's enough to clarify things with the Tang Family. After all, it wasn't us refusing marriage—they have nothing on us. If the girl isn't willing, there's nothing to be done."
"You were too blunt today. What do you mean by asking whether she'd want to marry you? Did you think you were proposing?"
"Isn't this Xiaowu's first time going out alone with a girl and getting rejected?"
At this point, a man sitting in the corner, acting as the elder brother, said in a deep voice, "Unless the girl is foolish, wasn't rejection anticipated?"
…
With the Jiang Family gathered in front of the computer screen, Jiang Jinsang remained calm throughout.
At that moment, his phone suddenly vibrated. Glancing at it, his gaze became fixed.
"Xiaowu, don't worry, if the Tang Family isn't an option, there will always be other good girls," someone in the video continued "comforting" him. "Xiaowu? What are you doing? Whose message are you staring at for so long?"
"Tang Wan's." Once Jiang Jinsang said this, silence fell on the other end of the video. He squinted at the computer screen.
"She's asked me to meet."
Silence enveloped the Jiang Family for a few seconds before they erupted.
"Do you think I should go?" Jiang Jinsang's tone remained gentle, his expression indifferent.
"The girl requested it herself; why wouldn't you go? Of course you should!"
After all, their families had been trying to bring them together. Every move the two made was inevitably communicated among the elders...
As soon as the Jiang Family knew, they immediately informed Old Master Tang about the "progress" of the relationship!
**
The next day
It was drizzling in Pingjiang, the autumn air was slightly cool.
When Tang Wan went out for the appointment, the old man was leaning in a rattan chair in the living room, watching opera on TV and humming along. Catching sight of her changed clothes and purse as she walked out, he raised his brows and said, "Going out?"
"Yes, I'm meeting a friend. I won't be back for lunch, please remember to take your medicine after eating."
Old Master Tang snorted, "Going on a date with Xiaowu, huh!"
Tang Wan's mouth twitched, wondering how repaying a favor turned into a date.
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